Scalable integrated high-density optical data/media storage delivery system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and system for recording, playing, handling, and storing a plurality of media disks in a plurality of configurations and a device for moving any disk into and out of a media disk storage mechanism and into or out of a selected media player/recorder on demand, and a controller for directing operation of the device for moving the disks and controlling selection of operation of the media disk storage mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/595,680, filed Aug. 27, 2012. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/595,680 is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/090,496, filed Apr. 20, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,276,170). U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/090,496 is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/544,151 (now U.S.Pat. No. 7,954,118), filed Aug. 19, 2009. U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/544,151 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/303,778 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,309), filed Dec. 16, 2005. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/303,778 claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/645,102, filed Jan. 20, 2005. ThisU.S. patent application incorporates by reference, for any purpose, theentire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/595,680, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/090,496, U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/544,151, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/303,778, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/645,102.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to systems, devices, and methods fordigital data recording, storage, and retrieval. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a data storage library system, device, andmethod for recording, cataloging, storing, searching, retrieving, andproviding playback of large volumes of digital computer data such as,but not limited to audio, video, image and text data files utilizingmultiple removable disk media stored in a media library.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The high tech arena of today's video security, government securityapplications, home theater market, medical video and diagnostic imagingand records, and large and small data storage applications is evergrowing and becoming more lucrative with each product placed in themarketplace. Any new emerging technology in this area offers opportunityfor successful market entry. It is estimated that approximately 80% ofthe consumer electronics business are under $30 million dollars a yearin sales. What is remarkable, however, is that in the current market notrue TV/PC/DVD integrated, image capture terabyte and multi terabytestorage solution exists that meets the plethora of current and futuregovernment, medical, industrial and consumer needs.

The goal of HD-DVD is to present at least two hour long films in highdefinition video format at 1080p. Currently, DVD technology is limitedto resolution of 480p. As a part of these limitations, the current DVDred laser technology is limited to 4.7 Gb of storage or 9.4 Gb usingdouble sided or dual layer DVD. However, emerging blue laser systemswill have the capability of storing capacities of 25 GB to 300 GB orgreater per disk in the near future. Systems will be able to achieve 36Mbps of transfer speed which equates to approximately 2 hours at 1080presolution or 13 hours of 480p resolution for the 25 GB disks. It iscontemplated that 200 Gb dual layer disks and 300 Gb holographic opticalstorage will soon follow which will allow for even greater storage ofrecorded media.

Today, there exists a variety of audio compact disk (CD) and digitalvideo disk (DVD) storage and handling apparatuses. Each apparatusconfiguration varies in shape and size and can range in shape fromtoroidal configurations to linear type cartridge stacks. Many typicaldigital media handling libraries seen today usually function as readonly type devices. Sometimes these devices may include a number of areasfor containing data cartridges positioned relative to a manipulating armcapable of maneuvering in front of a particular area which contains thedesired cartridge to read. In the handling of digital data, especiallywhere the recording and viewing of stored data is involved, data-accessspeed is sometimes very important to the user. The ability tospecifically view recorded media content within a library and then toselectively retrieve and simultaneously play the selection would offerthe user a tremendous benefit not currently available.

Optical information storage technologies have provided increasingstorage densities over the years. The demand for larger volume opticalstorage devices has been persistent, and various approaches to increasedoptical storage have been considered. In addition, the retrieval ofstored disk media has become a significant factor for consideration inview of the proliferation of various uses of these disks for datastorage in association with various information that must be readilyavailable. While individual disks are capable of accepting relativelylarge amounts of data, the amount of data stored for many applicationsis immense and therefore requires a significant number of disks. Inaddition to requiring large data storage capacity, rapid retrieval ofdisks is also desired so that data from the disks can be accessed morequickly.

There are various devices which store numerous recordable media,magnetically or optically, containing information therein in a magazineor magazines. The devices position the recordable media at a givenlocation or locations inside the magazines and remove the sametherefrom. An example of such a device is a disk changing apparatus. Adisk changing apparatus typically stores a large number of disk-shapedrecordable media such as CDs or DVDs in low density magazines and isprovided with a drive read write unit for magnetically or opticallyrecording onto and playing information stored on the disks. The diskchanging apparatus is further adapted to set a disk from a magazine intothe drive unit and insert a disk from the drive unit into a magazine.Many of these magazines have drawer supports for each disk.

One major factor in determining the efficiency of disk retrieval anddelivery is found in the capabilities of the disk retrieval/loaderapparatus to accomplish disk movement from and to storage libraries anddrive mechanisms. Specifically, if the disk retrieval/loader apparatusis able to quickly retrieve, carry and deliver a disk, the data fromthat disk can be made available faster to the user. Thus, it is apparentthat a need is present for a disk retrieval/loader apparatus that canretrieve and load disks in a timely and efficient manner. However,before the user can retrieve a disk he/she must be able to determinewhich disk a desired file is on. This is typically done through someform of manual searching within the stored files.

Specifically, for example in digital video recorder security systems,there are several methods of searching for programs recorded by a useror system. First, one method is to search while actually looking at avideo by fast forwarding or rewinding a recorded program. Recentdevelopments in digital video recorder software has allowed for fastersearching by using camera number, time and date, or other metadata.These devices facilitate searching for a recorded segment ofsurveillance video or a TV program while listening to sound by doublingthe image speed and maintaining the sound speed at a normal level.

Specifically, by way of example only, there are devices that facilitatesearching for a TV program while listening to sound by doubling theimage speed and maintaining the sound speed at a normal level. Toincrease the efficiency of retrieval, great efforts have recently beenmade to increase the fast forward speed and the rewind speed.

In prior methods, a user must look at the screen until he/she findshis/her desired program. Furthermore, fast forwarding and rewindingoperations are complicated and troublesome. Such methods depend onuser's intuition and memory. Particularly when a program isautomatically recorded, a user's intuition and memory cannot be reliedupon any longer. As more and more video images are stored, the user'sburden increases.

Other methods index video segments or recorded programs at the time ofrecording and searching for a desired program by displaying a list ofthe indices on the screen. Generally speaking, recording date and timeare used as indices. It is considered that information which can beacquired as the attributes of a program by a video recorder arecurrently only recording date and time. In the video recorder, a list ofthe recording times and dates of TV programs is displayed on the screenso that a user can search for his/her desired program from the listwhile recollecting his/her recording date and time. However, in thismethod a video program must be searched utilizing an index and theuser's burden is slightly lightened. But, since index information isonly recording date and time, it can be said that this method alsodepends on the intuition and memory of a user. Particularly, when aprogram is automatically recorded, it is difficult to recall thecontents of the recorded program from its recording date and time.

Along with the digitization of TV broadcasting, electronic informationon TV programs is multiplexed in broadcasting and aired. This electronicprogram information is generally called EPG (“Electronic ProgramGuide”). EPG includes key words such as the title, category andperformers of each program. Current digital satellite broadcastingenables a user to select his/her desired channel by displaying this EPGon the screen.

Another method is contained in the EPG and is used as retrieval indices.In this case, when a program is recorded, EPG is also stored. To see arecorded program, the titles of recorded programs are listed on thescreen ad a user selects his/her desired program from this list.However, since EPG indicative of the contents of a program such as thetitle of a program is used as an index in the previous method, theburden of user's intuition and memory is greatly lightened. That is, theuser searches for his/her desired program while looking at the titles ofprograms. However, when a large number of recorded programs can bestored, the titles of all the recorded programs cannot be displayed onthe screen and the retrieval of indices becomes complicated. Further, itis difficult to recall the contents of automatically recorded programsfrom program information alone.

Along with the spread of digital broadcasting, various apparatuses forrecording digital video will continue to come into existence. Since thehigh compression of digital video from digital video recorders ispossible, a large number of video programs can be recorded. Theconnection of multiple video cameras used for capturing video images tothis storage mechanism is possible.

Further, the program recording function will be improved by using theabove mentioned EPG. For example, it will be possible to record aprogram by directly specifying the title of the program or toautomatically record a program having a keyword by specifying thekeyword included in program information such as the category orperformer of the program. Particularly, the user's history of viewing isanalyzed to automatically record a program which seems to be thefavorite of the user.

The present invention, having an automatic recording function and theability to store a large number of video, audio, and/or data files, isparticularly effective as a media player, recorder, and library.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system, apparatus,and method for playing, recording, storing, and/or cataloging alarge-volume library of media files recorded on a digital media storagedisk.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system, apparatus,and method for providing versatile video and/or program recordingscheduling functions to programmably record from a plurality of selectedvideo, multiple input cameras, and/or audio input sources.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system, apparatus,and method for capturing, recording, storing, retrieving, andmanipulating digital media image files on storage disks into and out ofa disk drive and/or a disk storage mechanism for recording and/orplayback.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system, apparatus,and method for retrieving and manipulating digital media storage disksinto and out of a disk drive and/or multiple disk drives and/or a diskstorage mechanism for recording and/or playback.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system,apparatus, and method for searching for a user's specific desired filefrom a large number of previously recorded audio, video, or data filesand then providing playback quickly and efficiently.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the inventioncomprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexeddrawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of theinvention. These embodiments are indicative of but a few of the variousways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Otherobjects, advantages and novel features of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention whenconsidered in conjunction with the drawings.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

The system in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a moving X, Y, Z, and θ axis, top or bottom mounted,gantry pick and place type mechanism comprising a diskmanipulator/extractor assembly specifically designed to manipulate,insert, and/or extract at least CD or DVD disk media from disk mediamagazines using only the rim edges of the disk media. This X, Y, Z, andθ axis gantry mechanism can transport the disk media after extractionfrom a media magazine to one of a plurality of read/write drives locatedwithin the system of the present invention, a digital video recorder,other record and playback mechanism, or another disk media magazine. Asoftware application monitor (i.e. a “data monitor”) of any softwareapplication continually observes the record and playback functions andcontrols the read/write functions to achieve data disk cataloging andmeta-data labeling. A library controller manages and coordinates theoperation of a plurality of media player/recorder units, operation ofthe disk manipulator mechanism, and operation of a plurality of stackedmedia magazines and associated media disks.

The system further comprises a housing for containing a plurality ofmedia disks in a removable stacked media magazine configuration foraccess by the present invention. A library controller manages andcoordinates the operation of a plurality of media player/recorder units,operation of the removable stacked media magazine, associated mediadisks, and a media disk manipulator mechanism.

Other various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

It should be understood that any one of the features of the inventionmay be used separately or in combination with other features. It shouldbe understood that features which have not been mentioned herein may beused in combination with one or more of the features mentioned herein.Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the drawings and detailed description. It is intendedthat all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages beincluded within this description, be within the scope of the presentinvention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more readily apparent when considered in connectionwith the following, detailed description of preferred embodiments of theinvention, which description is presented in conjunction with annexeddrawings below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiment of the invention will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown herein. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts. For a more complete understanding of the present invention, andthe advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the system of the invention according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 a side elevation view of one embodiment of a removable stackedmedia magazine according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a is a top view of a removable stacked media magazineaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a removable stacked media magazine accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of one of the removable sliding drawerscomprising a plurality of empty removable stacked media magazinesdisposed thereon according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of one of the removable sliding drawerscomprising a plurality of full removable stacked media magazinesdisposed therein with media player/burners disposed the drawer accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a segmented view of the chamfered portions of the machinedinner portion separation mechanism of the removable stacked mediamagazine according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the disk manipulator mechanism depicting themechanism having a media disk in grasp position according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the disk manipulator mechanism ofFIG. 8 according to the present invention;

FIG. 10A is an internal top view of the system depicting placement ofthe plurality of removable stacked media magazines, a gantry device, andthe disk manipulator mechanism according to the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a top view of a portion of FIG. 10A depicting the diskmanipulator mechanism operationally positioned between two removablestacked media magazines according to the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a partial front view of the interior of the system accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a partial side elevation of a portion of FIG. 11A depictinga portion of the gantry device's interoperation with a removable stackedmedia magazine according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a system component schematic overview according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a system block diagram depicting the software relationshipwith various components according to the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a diagram depicting system component software interfacing andrelationship according to the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a diagram depicting the software component extensionsaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use the invention. The general principles describedherein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than thosedetailed below without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims. The presentinvention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but isto be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles andfeatures disclosed herein.

The present invention is embodied in a Scalable Integrated High DensityOptical Data/Media Storage and Delivery System as shown in theaccompanying figures. Before describing a specific embodiment of thepresent invention, the following information provides a general overviewof the capability provided by the embodiments described hereinbelow. Thepresent invention provides for an adaptable, scalable, high-capacitydigital data recording, storing, cataloging, retrieving, and playbacksolution for individual user applications and to professional businesssecurity solution needs. In addition, the present invention provides allthe benefits of high-end DVR for security monitoring such as, but notlimited to, high resolution real time video capture from 16 cameras persystem, instant access to recent information—configurable up to severaldays, weeks, or months scalable to multiple clients, scalable storagearchive for forensic research, searchable instantly via reduced qualityvideo option, up to 8 months or more of full quality video accessible bysystem software and hardware in about 15 seconds, unlimitedexpandability via removable media disk magazines (described hereinbelow)re-mountable by an operator in minutes, provisionable for at least 4clients or more, low power due to passive storage and non volatile mediawith about an 80 year lifetime.

Each application and use of the present invention has applicableimportance in the surveillance and imaging of areas such as, but notlimited to, airports, parking lots/garages, casinos, highways, publicspaces, and other general areas.

Now referring initially to FIG. 1, the system 1 according to oneembodiment of the present invention provides a user with numerousoptions including, but not limited to, access to a plurality of storeddigital media content. More specifically, for example, the user canrecord, catalogue, store, view, and/or playback disk media eventsincluding, but not limited to, surveillance system captured video frommultiple cameras, television, music, movies, digital photos, homevideos, scanned digital images of X-ray film, MRIs, CAT scan or otherdiagnostic records imagery, medical records, bank records, businessdocuments, digital computer transaction records, video games, and textdata. The system 1 can also be integrated and adapted to record, store,catalog, index, replay, and pause information recorded from, but notlimited to, cable, digital cable, digital satellite, over-the-air TV andradio, and surveillance camera images. Furthermore, the presentinvention is compatible with a variety of optical digital media and isideal for recording, archiving, playing and viewing media comprisingtext based documents to CAD data, high resolution images and digitalaudio/video files.

In FIG. 1, the system 1 according to the present invention comprises anouter housing unit main body 5 which has, but is not limited to, agenerally square or rectangular-shaped main body having generaldimensions of 22 inches wide by 30 to 90 inches high by 36 inches deep.One skilled in the art will readily understand that a plurality ofshapes may be used to define the outer housing unit's main body 5. Theouter housing unit main body 5 is leveled to its supporting surface byway of at least four (4) adjustable balancing legs/wheels 6. Examples ofthe body 5 that may be utilized by one embodiment of the presentinvention is a 19 inch 4U rack mount chassis manufactured by ANTEC® or a4U ATX 22 inch rack mount case. An example of a mountable component sizecan be a 19 inch rack mount by 25 inches high by 24 inches deep. Theseexamples of the body 5 are not meant to restrict or narrowly define themany various bodies that can be utilized with the present invention.Further enclosed within the main body 5 are a plurality of devices thatcomprise the internal components of the system 1 and apparatus of thepresent invention. Each component of the system 1 will now be brieflyreferenced for context within the system 1 below but will be furtherdetailed hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 2-15.

The outer housing unit 5 provides for operational storage and housing ofa plurality of removable media disk magazines 620 that are removably andslidably attached to at least one slidably removable disk magazinedrawer mechanism 10 having independent accompanying interfacing slides11 to allow ease of access and insertion/removal of the plurality ofremovable media disk magazines 620. In one embodiment of the presentinvention a total of eight (8) removable media disk magazines 620 areutilized, wherein four removable media disk magazines 620 are positionedon each of two (2) slidably removable disk magazine drawer mechanisms10. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that any number andcombination of removable media disk magazines 620 and slidably removabledisk magazine drawer mechanisms 10 can be configured for use withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention.Specifically, multiple layers or attached inline slidably removable diskmagazine drawer mechanisms 10 can be used to expand the overall storagecapacity of the present system 1.

In further reference to FIG. 1, the system 1 of the present inventionfurther comprises at least one, but preferably a plurality of, hotswappable media player/recorders 65, having either a slot in device ordrawer, for the recording and playback of 4 gigabytes to 9.4 gigabyteson a single red-laser, DVD type media disk D or other DVD disktechnology such as, but not limited to, blue-laser-based or holographicdisks. One embodiment of the system 1 comprises eight (8) mediaplayer/recorders 65 wherein one each media player/recorder 65 isdisposed generally underneath each of the removable media disk magazines620. However, in an alternate system embodiment (not shown), a pluralityof media player/recorders 65 are functionally and operationallypositioned in one end of the outer housing unit 5.

The media player/recorders 65 utilized with the system 1 of the presentinvention are of the type commercially available from a variety ofmanufacturers such as, but not limited to, Memorex, Panasonic, andPhillips. An example of such a media player/recorder 65 is, but notlimited to, a Memorex 16× external dual layer DVD burner.

Furthermore, the present invention accommodates next generation DVDburners that will provide blue laser and smaller wavelengths of lightbased technology, thereby further expanding the present invention'scapability such that a user may store at least twenty-thousand gigabytesof data on a single optical media disk D. In addition, the use of suchnext generation DVD recorders/burners will permit multiple layer disktechnology that will accommodate the storage of information acquired andrecorded by the present invention on a single media disk D of hundredsor thousands of gigabytes per media disk D.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the system 1 of the present inventionfurther comprises a gantry device 100, as shown and described in detailhereinbelow in reference to at least FIGS. 10A and 11A, for permittingmulti-axis translational movement of at least one servo controlled diskmanipulator mechanism 20 (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIGS. 8, 9, 10A, 10Band 11A). The combination of the relationship and interaction of thegantry device 100 and at least one servo controlled disk manipulatormechanism 20, wherein the servo controlled disk manipulator mechanism 20is uniquely designed and utilized to desirably manipulate (e.g., grasp,insert, remove, release, position and rotationally flip) optical mediadisks D from the removable media disk magazines 620 that are removablyand slidably attached to at least one slidably removable disk magazinedrawer mechanism 10. The servo controlled disk manipulator mechanism 20is operationally and functionally controlled via bilateralcommunications between an I/O controller (not shown) such as, but notlimited to, an ACS Servoll or Galil servo controller. The presentinvention's controller and computer system utilizes a programmedsoftware code to achieve specific manipulation of a specific opticalmedia disk D and to achieve desired translation of the gantry device 100via a plurality of axis (e.g., X,Y,Z, and θ).

After the servo controlled disk manipulator mechanism 20 desirablymanipulates the disk D from at least one of the slidably removable diskmagazine drawer mechanism 10 and inserts the disk D into one of themedia players/recorders 65, information signals such as, but not limitedto, audio, video, and/or data signals are played back via the mediaplayer/recorder 65 which communicate through self-contained audio andvideo outputs to a user's selected video/audio components. Operation ofan independent servo and I/O controller such as, but not limited to, theGalil controller; the media player/recorder 65; at least one frontfacing exteriorly-installed media player/recorder 66 (as shown inFIG. 1) for manually inserting and extracting individual media disks Dfor playing, copying and or recording purposes separate and apart fromthe internal media players/recorders 65 associated with the removablemedia disk magazines 620 or positioned in one end of the outer housingunit 5 as described above and further hereinbelow; the slidablyremovable disk magazine drawer mechanism 10; the removable media diskmagazines 620 and other components such as, but not limited to, aplurality of hard drive storage units 70 in a RAID array for terabytecapacity buffer storage are selected, programmably controlled,manipulated, and operationally configured through user graphical userinterface (GUI) devices such as, but not limited to a computer monitor36 or the like or an exteriorly-installed LCD touch screen device 35 asshown in FIG. 1, or similar user interface. In addition, the presentinvention provides a mouse 50 (e.g., but not limited to, an opticalmouse, IR mouse or other similar devices) for system configuration,operational inputs, and programming.

In one embodiment, the system 1 comprises an 8″ LCD ultra-thin videomodule for providing operator interface to control system functionalityand operation, selection and viewing of various operational controls andprogramming features of the system 1. One example of use for the LCDtouch screen device 35 a user can select and display a plurality ofprogramming and unit options and functions on the LCD touch screendevice 35. Furthermore, the GUI interfaces mentioned above provide forconfiguration of the stored information on the media disks D and in theoverall library, for monitoring, archiving, cataloging, and media disk Dburning parameter, communication parameters in a networked embodiment,player/recorder unit 65, 66 configurations and implementation of classesfor all system 1 components. As mentioned above, the system 1 comprisesan optical mouse 50 (shown in FIG. 1) that enables the user a point andclick ability with the LCD touch screen device 35 and/or the computermonitor 36 using an interface menu screen (not shown) that is displayedon either or both the LCD touch screen device 35 and/or the computermonitor 36. In addition, a user has the alternate choice of pointing andselecting with his/her finger on the LCD touch screen device 35.

The user interface menu screen may be selectively operated andprogrammed by the user to record desired events such as, but not limitedto, video camera event capture, audio playback/recording and stillpicture viewing. The user interface menu screen contains the mostcommonly used features of the system. All less commonly used featuresare displayed in secondary menus and screens. The user interface menuscreen on the LCD touch screen device 35 and/or the computer monitor 36utilizes icons and/or colors to indicate different attributes. Acalendar is also provided and may be displayed in various positions onthe LCD touch screen device 35 and/or the computer monitor 36 to permitthe user to select, among other options, a desired camera, location, orother metadata selected that the system 1 is required to program from.It should be understood by one skilled in the art that the userinterface menu screen layout is programmably configurable to display andallow interactive programming as desired by the user and such limiteddiscussion herein is not meant to be limiting in the scope and use ofthe menu screen.

In further reference to FIG. 1, an example of the plurality of harddrive storage units 70 mentioned above that is utilized in oneembodiment of the system 1, comprises a Western Digital SATA with 16 MbCache and 150 Mbps Corsair memory having a TWINX SMS3200 Dual Channel1024 Mb DDR 400 Mhz (2×512) (TWINX1024-3200LLPT). The plurality of harddrive storage units 70 in one embodiment are arranged in a RAID array(utilizing a Promise Supertrack EX8350 8 Channel SATA PCI Express RAIDCard) for effectively providing up to several terabytes of bufferstorage. A single hard drive storage unit 70 of the system 1 providesfor 250 gigabytes to 2 terabytes (or more) of hard drive storage. Inaddition, the system 1 also comprises RAM having about 512 megabytes upto about 2 gigabytes.

In further reference to FIG. 1, the system 1 and apparatus according tothe present invention comprises within the main body 5 an Internetcapable standard personal computer having a server motherboard such as,but not limited to a PCI Express motherboard (MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum)that provides improved PCI DATA traffic transferring wherein themotherboard has a minimum microprocessor speed of at least 3.0 gigahertzsuch as, but not limited to, an Intel® Pentium® 4, Xenon, or AMD Athlon®64 processor. The computer utilized in at least one embodimentcooperates and operationally functions with Microsoft® Windows® XP, XPProfessional, XP Embedded, Mediacenter®, Windows® 2000 or subsequentgenerations of Microsoft® operating systems. The Linux, UNIX or otherstandard Operating Systems may also be employed as part of the system 1of the present invention.

In addition, the system 1 comprises a video card (not shown) such as,but not limited to a Sappphire Radeon X550 PCI Express video card and aplurality of digital video capture cards (not shown) to provide fordirect connection to a plurality of video cameras (not shown) for videocapture and recording purposes. Although not depicted in FIG. 1, thesystem 1 also comprises a plurality of audio and video input/outputsource jacks associated with the computer system. In addition, thesystem 1 comprises at least one VGA controller interface and at leastone TV tuner card (both not shown).

Internet connectivity of the computer of the system 1 is made possiblevia Ethernet and WiFi connection ports associated and in functionaloperation with a plurality of peripheral ports such as USB, FireWire(IEEE 1394) and IR transmitters.

The main body 5 further comprises a plurality of, at least two,removable disk magazine drawer mechanisms 10 which therein provide asupporting base structure, wherein each drawer comprises at least four(4) USB port connections 90 (See FIG. 11A for general locationreference) for slidably accommodating and communicably interacting withthe plurality of removable stacked media magazines 620 (describedhereinbelow in further detail) which can securely store a large numberof media disks D, which herein are generally described as optical disks.However, one skilled in the art will recognize that future innovationsin media disk technology can be accommodated by the present system 1 andits removable stacked media magazines 620. The embodiment of FIG. 1provides for media disks D to be stored in a rectangular verticalmagazine or other suitable configuration. However, it must be understoodby one skilled in the art that various configurations including, but notlimited to, rectangular, toroidal, oval, and accordion arrangements canbe used within main body 5.

The system 1 of the present invention provides the capability in whichrecorded and non-recorded media disks D can be inserted into a mediaplayer/burner unit 65 for playback and/or recording of various media.After desired playback and/or recording is complete, the media disk D isthen manipulated and removed from the media player/recording unit 65 bythe disk manipulator mechanism 20 (described below in detail) and isselectively stored in a predetermined position in one of the removablestacked media magazines 620 which is removably positioned on at leastone of the removable disk magazine drawer mechanism 10 contained withinthe main body 5. It should be understood by one skilled in the art thatthe present invention further allows for the manual insertion andremoval of media disks for recording and/or playback functions via thefront-facing exteriorly-installed media player/recorder 66.

Each of the above generally described components that comprise thesystem 1 of the present invention will now be described in detailhereinbelow. Although a component and/or device may not have beenmentioned above in relation to the system 1 of the invention, suchexclusion is not meant as a limiting factor to the overall makeup andstructure of the entire system 1. For the sake of clarity and brevityeach component and/or device not mentioned above will also be detailedhereinbelow.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 through 7, the present invention alsodiscloses and utilizes a plurality of removable stacked media magazines620 for storing a plurality of media disks D. Each removable stackedmedia magazine 620 is configured to accommodate at least a verticalstack of at least one-hundred (100) or more horizontally, inserted mediadisks D, such as a DVD or CD-ROM. Each media disk D is sufficientlyhorizontally separated in the stacked media magazine 620 to permit forinsertion and extraction by way of the disk manipulator mechanism 20 aswill be further described in detail hereinbelow in reference to at leastFIGS. 8 through 11. It should be understood by one skilled in the artthat the removable stacked media magazine 620 can also be configured foroperation in a horizontal plane configuration within the system withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises at least eight (8)removable stacked media magazines 620 wherein each can accommodate up toone hundred twenty five (125) media disks D. As such, the combinedcapacity of the plurality of each system's 1 removable stacked mediamagazines 620 can accommodate one thousand (1000) single sided and/ordouble sided media disks D totaling about 4.7 terabytes to about twenty(20) terabytes or more (TB) or equivalent to about eight (8) months ofmedia event storage (e.g., images, video, data etc.) with the removablestacked media magazines 620 having the capability of providing a totaluseable shelf life of about eighty (80) years.

The removable stacked media magazine 620 is constructed having afoundation 215 made from a metal or injection molded plastic, Delrin®acetal resin, or similar engineered plastic material, an injectionmolded plastic or stainless steel outer back frame 200 and having aninterfacing removable injection molded plastic or stainless steel outerfront access frame 205 with handle 206, wherein the removable outerfront access frame 205 is so designed to be stowed away over thestainless steel outer back frame 200 of the removable stacked mediamagazine 620 when the magazine 620 is installed and in use in the system1. When closed the outer front access frame 205 and the outer back frame205 provide a dust free tight seal, FIG. 2 depicts the removable outerfront access frame 205 in the removed position and to the rear of theremovable stacked media magazine 620 but not yet mounted as described.In comparison, FIG. 5 depicts at least one of the removable stackedmedia magazines 620 in operational position disposed thereon the drawerslides 11 of one of the removable disk magazine drawer mechanisms 10,wherein the removable outer front access frame 205 of the removablestacked media magazine 620 is installed out of the way in itsoperational position within the system 1.

The removable stacked media magazine 620 also further comprises a moldedor machined inner portion separation mechanism 210 that comprises aplurality of miniature shelves 211 (best seen in FIG. 5) forpositionally separating and holding individual media disks D in placewithin the removable stacked media magazine 620. Each miniature shelf211 is so designed to positionally retain at least one individual mediadisk D while the removable stacked media magazine 620 is positioned inits standard operational vertical use configuration with the removableouter front access frame 205 in place on the back side of the stainlesssteel outer back frame 200.

Furthermore, as shown in a segmented view of the machined inner portionseparation mechanism 210 of the removable stacked media magazine 620,FIG. 7 depicts a plurality of machined chamfered surfaces 212 designedto predetermined tolerances to accommodate and provide successfulinsertion of a media disk D into each of the miniature shelves 211. Themachined chamfered surfaces 212 are disposed thereabout an entry frontaledge region 213 of each of the separation mechanisms' 210 miniatureshelves 211 that are together comprised in each removable stacked mediamagazine 620. Such chamfered surfacing allows for proper guidance of amedia disk D into the desired miniature shelf 211 as is determined bythe controller software of the system 1.

After insertion of the media disk D into the removable stacked mediamagazine 620, and therefore in operational storage configuration, eachmedia disk D is securely, separationally and positionally retainedwithin the miniature shelf 211 located on the inner portion separationmechanism 210 by way of further assistance from at least two retentionwings 230 a, 230 b, wherein each retention wing 230 a, 230 b comprises avertical separation comb bar 220 a, 220 b, respectively, distallydisposed in a longitudinal fashion along an outer edge of each retentionwing 230 a, 230 b. Each retention wing 230 a, 230 b in the presentembodiment is constructed from an aluminum or stainless steel material.The vertical separation comb bars 220 a, 220 b are constructed from aDelrin® acetal resin material. However, one skilled in the art willrecognize that any suitable materials may be utilized to construct theretention wings 230 a, 230 b and the vertical separation comb bars 220a, 220 b without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentinvention.

The two retention wings 230 a, 230 b and vertical separation comb bars220 a, 220 b of the removable stacked media magazine 620, as shown inFIGS. 2, 3 and 5, are designed to help secure and positionally retainmedia disks D within the removable stacked media magazine 620 whenaccess to the media disks D is not presently desired and the tworetention wings 230 a, 230 b and vertical separation comb bars 220 a,220 b are in the closed position. However, when the system 1 software,in operational association with the controller (described hereinbelow),determines that a particular media disk D located within a specificremovable stacked media magazine 620 is to be removed, or a new disk isto be inserted, the two retention wings 230 a, 230 b and verticalseparation comb bars 220 a, 220 b are opened by way of a frontal pullpressure-type interaction during the disk manipulator mechanism's 20approach toward the removable stacked media magazine 620 along anapproach axis, as will be further described below. The frontalpressure-type opening is effectuated by specific interactive openingcomponents located on an upper portion of each removable stacked mediamagazine 620 and on a portion of the disk manipulator mechanism 20. Thetwo retention wings 230 a, 230 b and vertical separation comb bars 220a, 220 b are then gradually closed during the departure of the diskmanipulator mechanism 20 away from the removable stacked media magazine620. These specific opening and closing operations will now be furtherexplained by reference to the interaction components utilized duringsuch operations.

The vertical separation comb bars 220 a, 220 b may be constructed forensuring retention and stability of the media disks D by way of aplurality of machined perforations or the like in the form of a combconfiguration design, a saw-tooth design, scalloped, or a rounded edgetype design (each not shown).

FIGS. 2 and 3 and 11B show the interactive opening components, amongother components, of the removable stacked media magazine 620.Specifically shown are a pull knob 250 integrally formed as part of asliding unit mechanism 261 and activated by a pivotal finger unit 101(shown in FIG. 11B) of a gantry device 100 (shown in FIGS. 10A, 11A,11B), which when the sliding unit mechanism 261 is moved in relation toand in combination with alignment tabs 252 a, 252 b disposed on astationary platform 240, and in the direction of arrow 249 a alongalignment tab channels 253 a, 253 b, causes the two retention wings 230a, 230 b to pivot outwardly in an opening fashion due to the forceexerted on hinging rods/bars 260 a, 260 b (by the sliding unit mechanism261) which are attached to and extend in longitudinal length of eachretention wing 230 a, 230 b, wherein the upper end of each hingingrod/bar 260 a, 260 b is bent over and inserted into respective top pivotchannels 258 a, 258 b to effectuate simultaneous opening of each of theretention wings 230 a, 230 b as shown in FIG. 3 when pull knob isactivated (shown by arrow 249 in FIG. 11B). Upon opening of theretention wings 230 a, 230 b, the vertical separation comb bars 220 a,220 b retract from contact with the outer rim edge of the encompassingmedia disks D located and stored within respective removable stackedmedia magazine 620.

When the disk manipulator mechanism 20 is backed away from the removablestacked media magazine 620 by the gantry device 100 (shown in FIGS. 10A,11A, 11B and described below) due to coded software instructions fromthe controller, the force exerted on the pull knob 250 (see FIG. 11B forfurther detail) by the pivotal finger unit 101 (shown in FIG. 11B) tocause the retention wings 230 a, 230 b to open is reduced and springs257 a, 257 b cause the sliding unit mechanism 261 to slidably retractback (in the direction of arrow 249 b) into a resting position. Suchretraction, assisted by springs 257 a and 257 b, causes componentinteraction opposite as that described above in relation to the“opening” movement, which results in the vertical separation comb bars220 a, 220 b to come back into media disk D engagement for effectuatingmedia disk D separation.

In further reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, each removable stacked mediamagazine 620 comprises a flash memory device 625 or small removable USBhard drive, with USB connection 626, wherein the flash memory device 625is removably disposed in communication with the removable stacked mediamagazine 620 and the microprocessor (not shown). FIG. 4 shows a view ofthe flash memory 625 as it is removably installed on the removablestacked media magazine 620. The flash memory 625 is situated in achannel 627 created in the foundation 215 of the removable stacked mediamagazine 620.

The flash memory 625 used in one embodiment is that of the kindcommercially available having memory size ranging from about 128 Mb to2.0 GB or more. The removable stacked media magazine 620 is read andanalyzed by an integrated computer storage mechanism and associatedsoftware of the system 1 when the removable stacked media magazine 620is initially loaded onto one of the slidably removable disk magazinedrawer mechanism's 10 of the system 1. The flash memory 625 or USBcoupled hardware is used to keep file contents of each media disk Dwithin its accompanying removable stacked media magazine 620. Forexample, if the removable stacked media magazine 620 contained a numberfiles such as, but not limited to, stored video/image/data files and/orDVD movies, the flash memory 625 would contain a list of user desiredinformation such as, but not limited to, cameras, time and date,locations, transaction data, or other meta-data or movie titles. Thememory 625 can also store the first frame of stored video on the mediadisk D, or data, chapter and/or segment of information located on themedia disk D so that the user can instantaneously search for a segmentof such video or data using a smart search engine. The present system 1further provides for the ability to begin playback of a media disk Dwhile a separate media disk D is being indexed in one of the mediaplayer/burner 65 drive for recording or later playback.

The software provided by the system 1 of the present invention permitsthe microprocessor's operating system to view a high capacity media diskD or situations in the future when the removable stacked media magazine620 may contain 500, 1000, or more disks therein. The system's softwaretracks the location and the contents of each media disk D stored withinthe system's 1 plurality of removable stacked media magazines 620. Theindividual flash memory 625 described above allows a single removablestacked media magazine 620 to be removed from the system 1 and the filecontents of the single removable stacked media magazine 620 containing100-125 disks to be removed with it. The contents of the flash memory625 and the file structure of the removable stacked media magazine 620is transferable to one or more of the plurality of hard drive storageunits 70 in RAID array of the integrated system 1.

The flash memory 625 stores information automatically and isaccomplished when the removable stacked media magazines 620 arepositionally plugged into the system 1 upon installation of therespective removable stacked media magazine 620. In addition, as aremovable stacked media magazine 620 is accessed by the microprocessorof the system 1, each media disk D in that removable stacked mediamagazine's 620 file structure stored in the flash memory 625 will beknown and recognized by the microprocessor of the system 1. Morespecifically, the system computer will recognize specific storageinformation and will inform the user which miniature shelf 211 the diskD is located in the inner portion separation mechanism 210.

Similarly, video surveillance information from a specific date, camera,geographic location, file size or decimated single frame video images(i.e., “thumbnails”), is also recorded on the flash memory 625. Itshould be understood that the present invention can also be utilized tostore and play video games, wherein the flash memory 625 effectivelyoperates in the same manner to provide the user rapid program access andpertinent information relating to the specific media disk D storing thegame.

An automated cycle counting inventory management application is providedthat provides content verification against the storage file structurethat was originally read off of the flash memory 625. Therefore, thisprovides for situations where a user loads a new removable stacked mediamagazine 620 with media disks D such that when the removable stackedmedia magazine 620 is indexed the media disks D may be catalogued forcontent on an ongoing basis. This function operates independent ofwhether the system 1 is in use or not. Furthermore, the cataloging andmaintenance function is provided as an automated feature of thesoftware. Furthermore, metadata information about each video file isstored in a metadata catalog that can be searched to find specificstored video and/or data and image files of interest.

FIGS. 5 and 6 best show the positioning of the plurality of mediaplayer/recorders 65 utilized in one embodiment of the system 1. Eachmedia player/recorder 65 comprises individual disk insertion/extractionports 32 that permit for insertion and extraction of media disks D. Theinsertion/extraction ports 32 comprise an internal slot-in mechanism(not shown) that pulls the media disk D, when inserted by the diskmanipulator mechanism 20, into the internal slot-in mechanism of themedia player/burner unit 65. Likewise, the insertion/extraction ports 32allow, upon ejection of the media disk D, extraction of the media disk Dby way of the disk manipulator mechanism 20. Each media player/recorder65 is connected to and controlled by a microprocessor and a controllervia SATA, Firewire, EIDE, SCSI, USB or similar standard interfacecables.

It can be seen with specific reference to FIG. 6, which depicts one ofthe plurality of disk magazine drawer mechanisms 10 (specifically shownis a right side disk magazine drawer mechanism 10), wherein a pluralityof media player/burner units 65, now labeled in FIG. 6 as 65 a, 65 b, 65c, and 65 d for explanatory purposes, are removably positioned thereonthe disk magazine drawer mechanism 10. More specifically, each of themedia player/burner units 65 a, 65 b, 65 c, and 65 d are operationallypositioned in either a top-up or top-down configuration beneath itsrespective removable stacked media magazine 620. For example, in FIG. 6media player/burner units 65 a and 65 b are mounted in a top-upconfiguration such that the insertion/extraction port 32 allows forinsertion of a media disk D to record/play from a first side of themedia disk D. Alternatively, and in addition to player/burner units 65 aand 65 b, player/burner units 65 c and 65 d are mounted in a top-downconfiguration such that the insertion/extraction port 32 allows forinsertion of a media disk D to record/play from a second side of themedia disk D. Such a top-up, top-down configuration permits the system's1 components and devices to play and/or record on either or both sidesof a media disk D that is inserted into the media player/burner unit 65.However, as described above, alternatively the player/burner units 65may be positioned on one end of the housing body 5 in a stackedconfiguration.

In reference now to FIGS. 8, 9, 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B, the presentinvention provides for a software controlled gantry device 100 and diskmanipulator mechanism 20 that are operationally, functionally andcommunicably connected for effectuating in combination indexing positiontranslation, retrieval, grasping, placing/removing and translationaltransport of optical disks D from the individual diskinsertion/extraction ports 32 of the media player/recorder units 65and/or one of the removable stacked media magazine 620 in a plurality ofaxes for effectuating. The gantry device 100 and disk manipulatormechanism 20 components are constructed from a high grade plastic and/oraluminum for providing effective interface with the media disks D.

The disk manipulator mechanism 20 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention interfaces with a media disk D located in a removablestacked media magazine 620 or media player/recorder unit 65 andcooperatively interacts therewith the media disk D to retrieve/insertthe media disk D from/into, respectively, the slot in or drawer of themedia player/recorder unit 65 one of the removable stacked mediamagazines 620 or one of the media/recorder units 65. It will beunderstood that other magazine and player/recorder configurations arecontemplated for use with the present invention such as, but not limitedto, a toroidal shaped disk media storage carousel (not shown) oraccordion styled carousel (not shown). Such alternative shaped storagecarousel configurations can be utilized and removably mounted on acarousel transport platform (not shown).

The system 1 of the present invention comprises a plurality of varioussensors 1007 a and 1007 b (shown in FIG. 8) located on or in associationtherewith the disk manipulator mechanism 20, the media player/burnerunit 65 and/or the individual disk insertion/extraction ports 32 topermit the system 1 to intelligently recognize if a disk is present andin a position relative to each 20, 65, and/or 32. Additional sensors maybe provided within the system 1 and are driven by control softwareprovided by the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, proximity sensors (notshown) are utilized with the disk manipulator mechanism 20 to determineand address positional and translational locations in reference topreprogrammed controller coordinates of specific media disk D andremovable stacked media magazine 620 locations. However, one skilled inthe art will recognize that other types of sensors used independently orin combination with the proximity sensors will also permit media disk Dand removable stacked media magazine 620 location without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

Another type of sensor that can be utilized by the present invention isof the type known as a photointerrupter, which in general is a sensorthat incorporates an infrared LED and a photosensor within the samepackaged unit. Such photointerrupters detect objects when the objectinterrupts a light beam emitted by an LED within the sensor. Infraredsensors work by sending out a beam of IR light, and then computing thedistance to any nearby objects employing the characteristics of thereturned signal. An example of the sensor used with one embodiment ofthe present invention is a Sharp GP2A200LCS light modulation, reflectivetype photointerrupter sensor that interfaces directly to the Galilcontroller and provides an input/output signal as to whether or not amedia disk D is present.

In continued reference to FIGS. 8, 9, 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B, aspreviously mentioned, the system's 1 gantry device 100 and diskmanipulator mechanism 20 are functionally operated via at least aplurality of preprogrammed software commands. Such software commandscomprise a plurality of specific shelf 211 and removable stacked mediamagazine 620 address locations for providing translational movement andaddress commands that instruct the gantry device 100 and/or the diskmanipulator mechanism 20, separately or in combination, and theirassociated components comprising a plurality of servos 240, 245, 250(others not shown), a plurality of drive belts positioned in drive beltgrooves (two primary drive belts 1004 a, two secondary drive belts 1004b and two tertiary drive belts 1004 c) located on both sides of the diskmanipulator mechanism's 20 two-armed arcuate foundation 1016 andarticulable driven wheels 1005 a, 1005 b, into proper positioningdependent upon the desired function such as insertion and/or retrieval.

Each instructional command and resultant device and component movementis dependant upon on where the disk D is desired to be placed orretrieved. The design disclosed by the present invention permits a mediadisk D to be removed from the removable stacked media magazine 620without a pushing force being exerted from an opposite side. Such anadvantage allows for less space to be required for operation of the manycomponents and reduces the overall complexity of design.

The disk manipulator mechanism 20 of the present invention comprises aplurality of high traction articulable driven wheels 1005 a, 1005 b thatare driven by servos 240, 245, 250 and/or stepper motors 251. Thearticulable driven wheels 1005 a, 1005 b are manufactured so as to havea top guiding chamfer and a high traction grooved gripping surface 1006,achieved by coefficient of friction combined with pressure. The wheels1005 a, 1005 b may be made from a variety and combinations, as desired,of angular geometry metal, aluminum, rubber, grit blasting, or ceramiccoatings. The articulable driven wheels 1005 a also comprise a bottomguiding chamfer 996. As can be further seen in FIG. 9, driven wheels1005 b comprise a top guiding chamfer 997 and a lower reverse chamfer998 which in combination capture and drive media disks D into the hightraction grooved gripping surface 1006 located on driven wheels 1005 b.A tapered throat of about 4 degrees is machined into driven wheels 1005b to capture the edge of the media disk D to provide for high contactpressure for adequate traction on the media disk D.

As best depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, the driven wheels 1005 a, 1005 b aremounted on wrist sections 1009 a and 1009 b which are, in turn,connected to a two-armed arcuate foundation 1016, wherein the two-armedarcuate foundation 1016 articulates about a jawed articulable axis 1015to allow for expansion of the two-armed arcuate foundation 1016 so as toeffectuate proper and adequate travel by the driven wheels 1005 a, 1005b around the outer edge diameter of a media disk D, thereby permitting ajawed-type open and close movement. Connector pulleys 1003, made fromDelrin® or other suitable materials, are positioned in each arm of thetwo-armed arcuate foundations 1016 to permit primary drive belts 1004 a(or other mechanical drive means), driven by servo 240, which isoperatively connected to a worm gear (not shown) that in turn drives aplurality of gears (each not shown) to simultaneously rotate, via theconnector pulleys 1003, secondary drive belts 1004 b and tertiary drivebelts 1004 c, which in turn cause driven wheels 1005 a, 1005 b to rotateeither clockwise or counterclockwise (e.g., dependent upon which side ofthe two-armed arcuate foundation 1016 and whether a media disk D isbeing retrieved or inserted into a magazine 620 or media player/recorderunit 65). Specifically, the plurality of components operate to causeeach side of the two-armed arcuate foundation's wheels, gears, belts andpulleys to operate in an opposite direction (i.e., clockwise orcounterclockwise) depending upon the desired operation (i.e., media diskD extraction or insertion).

The disk manipulator mechanism 20 is transported up and down in avertical “Z” axis via a vertical ball screw 261, as best seen in FIG.11A, wherein the vertical ball screw 261 is functionally andoperationally connected to both the gantry device 100 and the diskmanipulator mechanism 20. The vertical ball screw 261 is rotationallyactivated by a servo 250, stepper motor 251 and gear combination, whichin combination are controlled by a plurality of software communicationcommands from the controller software resident in the Galil controller,or similar controller. The disk manipulator mechanism 20 can be rotated180 degrees in either direction by the vertical ball screw 261 and servo250 combination without the elevational (i.e., up or down) position ofthe disk manipulator mechanism 20 being changed.

In reference specifically to FIG. 9, when the software or userselectsvia the optical mouse 50, the IR keyboard 45, and/or anexteriorly-installed LCD touch screen device 35, selects a desired mediadisk D for retrieval from the removable stacked disk magazine 620, thecombination gantry device 100 and the disk manipulator mechanism 20moves into a substantially adjacent position with the media disk D topermit a plurality of high traction grooved gripping surfaces 1006 ofthe plurality of the driven wheels 1005 a, 1005 b to come intofrictional gripping contact with the desired predetermined media disk D.

As can been seen in FIG. 10B, when the driven wheels 1005 a, 1005 b comeinto contact with the edges of the outer edge diameter of the desiredmedia disk D, the jawed articulable axis 1015 permits an openingexpansion of the arcuate foundation 1016, thereby allowing the drivenwheels 1005 a, 1005 b to continue travel until each driven wheels 1005a, 1005 b is in an approximate relative opposing interim position alongthe outer edge diameter of the media disk D. During this portion, drivenwheel devices 1005 a will rotate counterclockwise and driven wheeldevices 1005 b will rotate clockwise. The driven wheel devices 1005 a,1005 b will each continue such rotation until they are past acenterpoint of the opposing interim position and are in a transportposition as is generally depicted by the media disk D position withinthe disk manipulator mechanism 20 shown in FIG. 10B. It is at this pointthat the driven wheel devices 1005 a, 1005 b rotation is stopped bysystem software and the disk D is transported for placement into anindividual disk insertion/extraction port 32 of one of the mediaplayer/burner unit 65 or into a different removable stacked diskmagazine 620 installed on one of the drawers 10 in the main body 5.

The above process is reversed when the software and/or user has finishedthe desired task (playing and/or recording) with the media disk D. Morespecifically, the disk manipulator mechanism 20 removes the disk D froman individual disk insertion/extraction port 32 of one of the mediaplayer/burner unit 65 or from a removable stacked disk magazine 620installed on one of the drawers 10 in the main body 5. Driven wheeldevices 1005 a will be instructed by the system software to rotateclockwise and driven wheel device 1005 b will be instructed to rotatecounterclockwise to hold the disk D in a position similar to theopposing interim position, described above, to facilitate retrieval ofthe media disk D. Upon possession of the media disk D by the diskmanipulator mechanism 20, the gantry device 100 driven by controllingsoftware and associated components then translationally transports thedisk manipulator mechanism 20 left, right, up and/or down into a desiredaddressed and indexed position relative to the media disk's D previousposition in the removable stacked disk magazine 620 or to an alternatevacant shelf 211 slot in the removable stacked disk magazine 620.

As mentioned above, the present invention also allows the user to insertindividual media disks D into the at least one front facing exteriorallyinstalled media player/recorder 66 (as shown in FIG. 1) for manuallyinserting and extracting individual media disks D for playing, copyingand or recording purposes separate and apart from the players/recorders65. Upon completion of the desired process (recording and/or playback)the user and/or software, via system interfaces, commands the system 1to cause the media player/recorder unit 66 to eject the disk D to allowremoval by the user. The front facing exteriorally installed mediaplayer/recorder 66 can be front facing or side facing.

As previously mentioned, the present invention utilizes a dedicatedservo control system manufactured by Galil, or other comparable similardevice, and its dedicated programming language to code objects withinthe system 1 for operation. The code utilized is for reading a pluralityof sensors (each not shown) and for driving the plurality of servos 240,245, 250 (others not shown), that interoperate and intercommunicate withthe gantry device 100 and the disk manipulator mechanism 20.

More specifically, and by way of example, the plurality of sensors aresensors that are utilized to read properties of the sensor to inform thesystem 1 that a media disk D is in a media player/recorder unit 65 or toinform the system 1 of the location of the media disk D on the diskmanipulator mechanism 20. By further example, the plurality of sensorsallow the system to detect if there is a disk D in a particular indexedposition within the removable stacked media magazine 620 prior toretrieving the media disk D or inserting another media disk D. The codeallows query of the sensor to determine whether or not a particularsensor is detecting something at its position.

Similarly, the code in the main system processor communicates with thededicated Galil, or the like, servo controller to determine its relativeposition in a particular axis and to specify the speed and amount anddegree of servo rotation needed to carry out a specific task. The servoscontrol at least, but not limited to, the gantry device 100, the diskmanipulator mechanism 20, the ball screw 261 and the driven wheels 1005a, 1005 b.

The plurality of servos 240, 245, 250 (others not shown) incommunication with the gantry device 100 and the disk manipulatormechanism 20 utilize servo mechanical position information programmedinto servo controller software to determine, instruct and address properdisk D pick-up and drop-off positions. For example, a disk drop-offposition address may be for a specific individual diskinsertion/extraction port 32 of a specific player/burner unit 65 and apick-up position may be from one of the miniature shelves 211 located onthe inner portion separation mechanism 210 of one of the removablestacked media magazines 620.

The disk manipulator mechanism 20 of the present invention providesideal functionality to solve applications which require fast, repeatableand articulate point to point movements to remove items such as mediadisks D. Because of its unique “X,Y,Z and θ” axis translation motions,the combination of the gantry device 100 and the disk manipulatormechanism 20 are ideal for use with the present invention in thatconstant acceleration through motions for dispensing the media disk Dinto a desired position is desired.

Now referring to FIG. 12 wherein a system 1 component schematic overviewof the present invention is depicted. FIG. 12 illustrates the pluralityof various components and devices that make up one embodiment of thepresent invention. For descriptive clarity purposes, the components anddevices shown in FIG. 12 may possess specific reference numerals unlikethose utilized throughout the previous detailed description. Thespecific quantity of any component or device shown in FIG. 12 is notmeant to limit the scope of the present invention. The inventors of thepresent invention contemplate any combination and number of suchcomponents and devices.

As shown in FIG. 12, provided is a computer system 2 comprising anoperating system 905 and at least one CD/DVD RW drive 907 each connectedvia separate single cables 908, 909, thereby creating a point-to-pointconnection; system control firmware 906; a motherboard 900 such as, butnot limited to, an MSI K8N NE04 PLATINUM; a chipset 901 such as, but notlimited to, an NVIDIA nForce 4; a CPU 902 such as, but not limited to,an AMD ATHALON 64×2 3800+; a memory type 903 such as, but not limitedto, a KINGSTON KVR40064C3AK2; and a memory size 904 of at least 1024 Mb,preferably 2 GB. The computer system 2 is supplied at least 650 watts ofpower via connection to a power supply 910 such as a SilverstoneENS-0565. The computer system 2 further comprises a plurality of inputsfor accommodating a plurality of components such as, but not limited tothe following list of components: a plurality of DVD/CD players/burners720, 725, 805, 825 each connected to the computer system 2 via at leasttwo IDE interfaces 700, 705.

Further shown and provided are a plurality of removable stacked mediamagazines 620 (disk storage 1-8) each having at least one flash memorydevice 625 ultimately connected to the computer system 2 by way of USBcabling 500 that is connected to integrally disposed USB interfaces 627found on each removable stacked disk magazine 620 position on eachdrawer 10 which in turn plug into each flash memory device 625 when themagazine 620 is installed on the drawer 10. The system 1 allows multiplemedia disks D to be digitally burned in succession automatically andwatermarked so that the video image on the disk D can then be admissiblein court. This process is achieved by burning the image directly ontothe disk D using computer interfaces, capturing the image, and thentransferring it directly to permanent media disk D storage within thesystem 1. The present invention allows storage of data from about onemonth to over a year on a full quantity of media disks D store insidethe system 1 as described above. The disk D quantity can range fromabout 400 to 1,000 (or more) disks, which is further dependent upon thenumber of removable stacked media magazines 620 stored inside the system1.

In further reference to FIG. 12, a plurality of hard drive storage units70 are arranged in a RAID array are connected to a PCI slot 502 on thecomputer system 2 via at least one PCI RAID card 501 for effectivelyproviding up to several terabytes of buffer storage.

In addition, a plurality of surveillance cameras 765 are provided andconnected to the computer system 2 of the present invention via camerainterface cards 920 and a plurality of capture cards 766. Such cameras765 can provide at least 640×480 resolution at 30 frames per second(fps) twenty four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. Thesystem 1 provides software for controlling the camera interface cards920 to identify connected surveillance cameras 765 and other devices,such as cash registers 905, doors, movement sensors, to allow recordedmedia storage to be digitally compressed by system hardware. Software isutilized to control the capture of images off of each camera 765 basedupon predetermined specified alarms, motion, or scheduled surveillanceactivities. The captured data is then digitally compressed (e.g., by afactor of 5 to 10 times or more) by system hardware and transferred overa network 760 to the system 1 for storage. The present inventionprovides the capability for 16 to 64 (or more) cameras to have digitalsignal processing (DSP) video compression applied thereto.

Further provided and shown in block 942 is a plurality of available axes(X,Y,Z and θ) made available by the combination of the gantry device 100and the disk manipulator mechanism 20 of the present invention. Inaddition, it is shown in block 943 that those items listed in block 942are impacted and associated by a variety of sensors. In addition, thegantry device 100 and the disk manipulator mechanism 20 are each incommunication and are controlled via a servo controller 944 havingresident control program software 945 programmably installed.

With reference now to FIG. 13 a system block diagram according to thepresent invention will be described. The software approach of thepresent invention provides a component architecture that defines andprovides components to monitor data, archive data, catalog mediadisk/metadata, burn DVDs, and manage the overall system's capabilities.The framework controls component startup, configuration, execution andmanagement. Various components can be extended to add new behavior,modify existing behavior or replace existing behavior. Morespecifically, components implement pre-defined interfaces to extend,modify or replace these behaviors. The system provides for data monitor,archive and metadata catalog components that are customizable for eachtype of application data being processed such as, but not limited to,different file/directory structures or database definitions, hardwaredata capture and different metadata query requirements. In addition, thepresent invention's software provides for a Windows® installable filesystem component for intercepting operating system and applicationdirectory and file open, read and close calls. It will be understood byone skilled in the art that other standard operating systems such as,but not limited to, UNIX, LINUX, or other similar operating systems maybe used without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentconvention.

The software architecture of the present invention permits deployment inat least two ways such as, but not limited thereto, monolithic andclient/server. The monolithic deployment comprises at least one programcontaining all components running on a single system that uses directJava® (or other software) calls between components. The client side ofthe client/server deployment comprises at least a data monitor and aclient archive component. The server side of the client/serverdeployment comprises at least a disc/metadata catalog, burn, storagemanagement and server archive components. Overall the communication isbetween archive components via Java® sockets. As mentioned above, thesystem provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that is also controlledby the invention's software, wherein the GUI is utilized to configure,monitor and manage components in addition to the overall system itself.In addition, customized components supply configuration and monitoringGUI displays.

The software framework of the present invention provides comprehensivecomponent control, configuration and monitoring functions. For example,the GUI provides for configuration of the storage unit, for monitoring,archiving, cataloging, and burning parameters, communication parametersin a networked version, player/recorder configurations andimplementation classes for all system components. The system offersfunction via system controlled components and software to anyapplication that creates data as its output such as, but not limited to,video surveillance, imaging (e.g., medical and dental) and applicationdata archiving.

As can be seen in FIG. 13, the system block diagram 1300 shows thesoftware relationship as pertaining to various system components.Specifically shown is the connection of a plurality of disk magazinedrawers 1302 comprising a plurality of disk magazines 1305 wherein eachmagazine 1305 comprises a plurality of media disks wherein each of thesecomponents allow data transfer to/from a library software 1320 via a USBhub connection 1315 via drawer USB connectors 1310. The data flow fromeach magazine's 1305 contents is controlled and provided configurationfunctionality through the library software 1320 stored onboard thesystem's computer. The library software 1320 comprises, but is notlimited to data transfer software 1325 and control software 1330. Thecontrol software 1330 provides specific operational functionality to thedisk manipulator mechanism (listed in the Figure as DVD Picker Loader1355). The library software 1320 provides specific operationalfunctionality to at least a user display 1340 via a user interface 1335,a plurality of player/recorders (e.g., burners 1350) and at least one,but not limited to, hard disk storage device 1360.

In reference now to FIG. 14 a diagram is shown that depicts systemcomponent/software interfacing and relationship according to the presentinvention. FIG. 14 depicts the present invention as comprising anapplication/user layer 1505, a communications layer 1510 and aninfrastructure and control layer 1515. Specifically, FIG. 14 shows anapplication/user layer (e.g., a software application of the presentinvention) wherein a specific application 1520 that is utilized providesfor writing/recording/burning files to a hard drive 1525 and/or othersuitable storage devices while resident system software monitors thefiles being archived/saved.

The communications layer 1510 comprises programmed monitor and controlsoftware 1530 for facilitating monitor and control functionalities ofand to a servo controller 1535 (e.g., a Galil controller) in theinfrastructure and control layer 1515 for interaction with a servocontrolled device and a plurality of media magazines and diskplayer/recorders comprising a plurality of media disks that serve as thesystem's primary storage mechanism as described above.

Also a part of the infrastructure and control layer is a datamart 1540for facilitating the storage of processing and historical data andstatuses and is in communication with an information file service (IFS)1545 and an application programming interface (API) 1550 for end userinterfaces. The IFS provides for a standard Windows open dialoginterface. The datamart 1540 comprises Java Database Connectivity (JDBC)technology which is an API that provides access to a wide range ofdatabases and access to tabular data sources, such as spreadsheets orflat files. In addition, the datamart 1540 provides Open DatabaseConnectivity (ODBC). The goal of ODBC is to make it possible to accessany data from any application, regardless of which database managementsystem (DBMS) is handling the data.

Furthermore, the datamart 1540 is also in communication with a JBoss(J2EE Server) 1560 for providing network and intranet interfacing. TheJBoss 1560 design of the present invention provides for a web searchinterface 1565 and a configuration and status interface 1570. Alsoprovided in the datamart 1540 are the business rules which setconventions for entering data into the databases that are specific tothe system's methods of conducting desired operations.

In reference now to FIG. 15 software component extensions 1400 of thepresent invention's storage unit are depicted. Specifically, a datamonitor component 1405 is provided for efficiently and activelymonitoring data in specified location and in specific formats such as,but not limited to, files/database and video/image/data. The datamonitor 1405 has separate threads (e.g., a thread monitoring directoryfor group one such as camera 1; and a thread monitoring directory forgroup two such as camera 2 and camera 3).

The data monitor component 1405 determines when an adequate amount ofdata exists in a temporary storage to permit archiving functions to aDVD or CD (i.e., is there enough data to fill an entire DVD, a singleDVD side or just a DVD layer). The data monitor 1405 further createscollections of items that require archival and also determines when datameets specific criteria for being marked “not-online” (i.e., data hasbeen removed or cleared from a hard drive unit).

The invention's file service component 1410 for an application file openprocedure intercepts all application directory/file open requests. Thefile service component 1410 also checks a disc catalog component 1420(described below) to see if files are online. If a file was online,application file open is completed and the opened file is returned tothe application. However, if the file was not online, the file servicecomponent 1410 requests an archive component 1415 (described below) tobring the file back online. If the file is offline, the archivecomponent 1415 uses the disc catalog component 1420 to locate the discwhere the desired file is located.

Also provided, and shown in FIG. 15, by the present invention is anarchive component 1415 that uses a disc catalog component 1420 to locateblank DVDs or CDs, for example, within the system's library. The archivecomponent 1415 copies data from the client if running as client/serverbut directly accesses data if running as a single system as describedabove. The archive component 1415 also functions to flag and initiatethe recording/archiving (i.e., burn) of collected data and catalogs theburned data information to a disc catalog 1421 via the disc catalogcomponent 1420. Each thread submits an archive request to archive itscollection of files. Flagged files are created to indicate files thathave been archived. The archive component 1415 further catalogs metadatainformation to a metadata catalog 1426 via a metadata catalog component1425.

The archive component 1415 shown in FIG. 15 runs on the server side innetwork deployed environments. A client side archive component operatesas a thin proxy for communicating with a server archive component. Inaddition, the archive component 1415 processes requests from the fileservice 1410 to bring “not-online” files back online (e.g., copy fromDVD back to a hard drive, load a DVD and read directly from a drive, andrequest operator remount of offline storage magazines.

FIG. 15 further discloses the disc catalog component 1420 of the presentinvention. The disc catalog component 1420 provides mechanisms forstoring and retrieving disc information from persistent storage and alsomanages metadata about the storage magazine and the files on each discwithin each magazine. The disc catalog component 1420 is separate froman application metadata component 1425 (described below) to preventeffects to the basic system operation.

The metadata catalog component 1425 provides mechanisms for storing andretrieving metadata from persistent storage. The metadata catalogcomponent 1425 queries various mechanisms on an as-needed basis tosatisfy a specific application's needs. The metadata catalog component1425 further manages all metadata associated with application data toprovide mechanisms for storing and retrieving application definedmetadata. Specific applications function independently to determine thedefinition of and interpretation of metadata. The metadata catalogcomponent 1425 stores metadata about video files into an applicationdatabase table to permit quick retrieval of the location of “tagged”events. In addition, the metadata catalog component 1425 provides querymechanisms and requests to enable location of metadata instances andvideo files that meet search criteria.

FIG. 15 further depicts a storage controller component 1430. The storagecontroller component 1430 controls access to and operation of thestorage mechanism of the system. The storage controller component's 1430operations are performed in their entirety (e.g., move disc from amagazine to a burner, move disc from a burner to a magazine). Inaddition, all requests received by the storage controller component 1430are queued and process as they arrive but the mechanism can alsoimplement a priority scheme if needed.

In further reference to FIG. 15, the software of the present inventionfurther provides for a player/recorder (“burner”) component 1435. Theburner component 1435 controls the access to player/recorders andprovides the capability to configure a plurality of simultaneous burns.This capability allows for the reservation of at least oneplayer/recorder to act as a data retrieval device for the operation. Thesoftware allows for configuration of player/recorders as a read-only orread-write only configuration with specific read/write priorities. Theburner component 1435 allocates record function across all read-writedevices to distribute usage. In addition, the burner component 1435comprises a configure priority reservation scheme that ensures thatdrives are available for reading offline files. The burner component1435 provides commands to the storage mechanism to move discs betweenstorage magazines and player/recorders.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious thatequivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled inthe art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and theannexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functionsperformed by the above described components (assemblies, devices,circuits, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used todescribe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwiseindicated, to any component which performs the specified function of thedescribed component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even thoughnot structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performsthe function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of theinvention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention mayhave been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments,such feature may be combined with one or more other features of theother embodiments as may be desired. It is therefore, contemplated thatthe claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fallwithin the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a processor; a memoryinteroperably coupled to the processor and having computer code storedthereon; a persistent memory device interoperably coupled with a firstmedia-disk-receptacle unit and in communication with the processor whenthe first media-disk receptacle unit is engaged with a persistentmemory-device connector; wherein contents of the persistent memorydevice comprise a content listing of a first media disk within the firstmedia-disk-receptacle unit; wherein the computer code comprises librarycontrol software that manages and coordinates operation of the firstmedia-disk-receptacle unit, a second media-disk-receptacle unit, and thefirst media disk within the first media-disk-receptacle unit; whereinplayback of the first media disk occurs concurrently with maintenance ofa second-media-disk content listing stored on the persistent memorydevice; and wherein the contents of the persistent memory device aremaintained independent of system use.
 2. The system of claim 1,comprising a media-disk manipulator mechanism operable to transport themedia disk between the first media-disk-receptacle unit and the secondmedia-disk-receptacle unit.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein thepersistent memory-device connector comprises at least one of a USBinterface, an Ethernet interface, a Fibre channel interface, a SCSIinterface, and a wireless interface.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe persistent memory-device connector is wireless.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the persistent memory device is a solid-state memorydevice.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer code comprises anautomated cycle-counting inventory software application that providescontent verification of the first media disk as the content listing isread from the persistent memory device.
 7. The system of claim 1 whereinthe computer code comprises a disk catalog component and a disk catalogassociated with the disk catalog component.
 8. The system of claim 6,wherein the disk catalog component stores and retrieves disk informationfrom the persistent memory device and manages metadata concerning fileson each of a plurality of media disks within the firstmedia-disk-receptacle unit.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein thecomputer code comprises library control software interoperably coupledwith the disk catalog component and a disk catalog associated with thedisk catalog component.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the computercode comprises a metadata catalog component and a metadata catalogassociated with the metadata catalog component.
 11. The system of claim9, wherein the metadata catalog component manages application metadataand provides file-associated metadata to an application.
 12. The systemof claim 9, wherein the metadata catalog component provides querymechanisms to enable location and retrieval of file-associated metadatainstances meeting search criteria from an application database.
 13. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the library control software comprises datatransfer software, control software, and a user interface.
 14. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein responsive to attachment of the firstmedia-disk-receptacle unit to the system, an operation is performed onthe content listing, the operation comprising at least one of reading,updating, and analyzing.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein storageinformation and a physical location of a first media disk within thefirst media-disk-receptacle unit is recognized by the processorresponsive to the engagement of the first media-disk-receptacle unitwith the system.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer codecomprises a data monitor component interoperably coupled with thelibrary control software and an application.
 17. The system of claim 15,wherein the data monitor component observes record and playbackfunctions of the application and controls system read and writefunctions.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the data monitorcomponent is interoperably coupled with: a disk catalog component and adisk catalog associated with the disk catalog component; and a metadatacatalog component and a metadata catalog associated with the metadatacatalog component.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer codecomprises a file service component intercepting directory or file openrequests.
 20. A method comprising: archiving, via an archive component,a file stored on a temporary storage; cataloging, via a disc-catalogcomponent, a location of the file; removing the file from the temporarystorage; intercepting, via a file-service component, an open request forthe file; determining, via the file-service component, if the file isoffline; and if the file is offline, locating, via the archive componentand the disc-catalog component, the file.